RDU Airport, NC – The total number of passengers traveling through Raleigh-Durham International Airport during April grew by 2.2 percent compared to the same period last year. Throughout the month, 790,360 passengers passed through RDU compared to 770,613 last year.

The numbers were released today at the monthly meeting of the Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority board.

“The growth in the number of passengers is a very positive sign for our region,” said Airport Director Michael Landguth. “At RDU demand remains high and our passengers are purchasing the seats available.”

April is the fourth consecutive month during which passenger traffic has grown at RDU. During the first four months of the year, 1.41 million passengers traveled through RDU compared to 1.37 million in the same period last year, a growth of 2.7 percent.

Board Adopts Air Service Policy
The Airport Authority board today adopted an Air Service Policy designed to support new transatlantic and transcontinental service to targeted destinations.

To support the launch of new service to specific destinations, the Airport Authority will offer airlines RDU-managed marketing support of $250,000 for domestic service and $500,000 for international service. In addition, the policy allows for landing fees to be waived for one year for new, specific transcontinental and transatlantic service.

“The air service recruitment process has changed,” said Landguth. “Today, a strong market will not on its own guarantee new service for a region. Airlines expect communities to share the risk inherent in launching service to a new destination.”

The specific markets named in the policy are San Francisco, Los Angeles, Seattle, Paris and Frankfurt, Germany. The flights must operate six days a week or five days a week if transatlantic.

United Airlines, which last month announced service to San Francisco, will receive $250,000 in marketing support from RDU. The airline’s landing fees will also be waived for one year.

Landguth Named to AAAE Board of Directors
RDU Airport Director Michael Landguth has been named to the American Association of Airport Executives’ Board of Directors. Previously, he served as president of the southeast chapter of the professional trade organization that represents commercial and general aviation airports.

AAAE has 5,000 individual members and represents nearly 850 different airports, from large hubs to general aviation facilities.

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